FS5: FS5 - Recommendations for a long reach lens?

I

Ivor C

Active member
My former camera was a Canon XF300 which had a great lens/steadishoot combo for capturing long reach (shooting from a distance, mostly handheld) run and gun/doco shots. Often I'd use it in challenging scenarios abroad where you have seconds to get the shot at a distance.

Although my FS5 came with the 18-105 kit lens, it's not a patch on my Canon for this type of work. So I'm looking for a new lens in the 200 to 300mm range for my FS5. It definitely has to have auto options and OSS/steadishot. Preferably it would be compact enough to mount without support grip and be a reasonably fast lens.

Although price is a consideration, I'm open to all options at this point including a speedbooster combo. But remember it's primary purpose is run and gun, so the auto focus/iris and OSS must work well/swiftly.
 
You could look at the Sony 18-200mm f3.5-6.3 OSS. Its optically not as good as the 18-105 but you could use it at f6.3 to keep a constant aperture throughout the zoom and keep a deep depth of field for run n gun as f6.3 on the FS5's Super 35mm would equate to a similar look as yr XF300.

Have you tried using the Center Scan on the FS5?? Center Scan mode captures the center of the image at Full HD (1920 x 1090) which provides a 2 x zoom. So you end up getting a 200mm reach on the 18-105mm lens.
 
Doug Jensen said:
Forget about using a speedbooster because it will give your lenses a wider FOV, which is just the opposite of what you want.
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Although it will be 'better' use of your glass.

For example a 300/4 with a booster will be 'the same' as a 200 2.8 with a booster, now check the prices of those and.. you will see a serious value proposition.

--
 
morgan_moore said:
Although it will be 'better' use of your glass.

For example a 300/4 with a booster will be 'the same' as a 200 2.8 with a booster, now check the prices of those and.. you will see a serious value proposition.

--
Click to expand...

Is this theory, or do you have a couple of real lenses to present as suggestions where the image quality is going to be equal?
Yeah, if you just look at f-stops and focal lengths on paper you can come up with all kinds of recommendations that sound good. But if you take a look at the performance of a cheap 300mm f/4 zoom with speedbooster vs. a professional 200mm f/2.8 zoom -- I have no doubt which one will look superior. Of course if image quality doesn't matter . . . .
 
I cant suggest lenses that meet the OPs requirements of AF and OSS.

When I had a canon 70-200/4 in the past I was certainly of the opinion that it was an equal of the 70-200 2.8 apart from lower mass and speed.

S
 
I'll bet if you had actually compared those lenses you would have changed your opinion.
But like you, I have no suggestions to the OP that would meet his needs.
 
Beyond Doug and I bickering I would be suggesting to use an 'aps' lens or a FF lens with a speed booster.

Probably check the options from Sony that cover aps size sensors. (S35)

S
 
Thanks guys. I do have a Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 VR + Nikon to emount SB sat in my kit bag. But the electronics don't work through the SB and even if they did, it's just too heavy (IMHO) to hang off a FS5 without grip support.
 
Commlite's CM-ENF-E1 Lens Mount Adapter is supposed to allow electronic communication between Nikkor lenses & Sony e-Mount bodies. I believe they had major issues with the first version, & quickly released a second, but don't know how well that's faired either. Imagine autofocus is dicey, but if it allows aperture control, & supports Image Stabilization, then possibly worthwhile.

http://www.commlite.com/en/product_...4.jpg&title_lm=E-Mount Ring&title=CM-ENF-E(1)
 
Bern Caughey said:
Commlite's CM-ENF-E1 Lens Mount Adapter is supposed to allow electronic communication between Nikkor lenses & Sony e-Mount bodies. I believe they had major issues with the first version, & quickly released a second, but don't know how well that's faired either. Imagine autofocus is dicey, but if it allows aperture control, & supports Image Stabilization, then possibly worthwhile.

http://www.commlite.com/en/product_...4.jpg&title_lm=E-Mount Ring&title=CM-ENF-E(1)
Click to expand...

Thanks. A few months ago I did email Commlite about using their adaptor (could have been mk1) on a FS5. I got one line back from them: "So far this adapter only works with the camera but not camcorder,please kindly note it."
 
In theory, i though my recommendation was the best :)

Using the Sony 18-200mm f3.5-6.3 OSS at f6.3 to keep a constant aperture throughout the zoom and keep a deep depth of field for run n gun work. That is if it doesn't have aperture flickering as you zoom and keeping it at f6.3 throughout the entire zoom will keep it sharp.

Heck i might even try this cool suggestion :)
 
Im kind of sick of chasing focus when doing run n gun even at f4 it can become problematic.

10 years ago i loved my Z1U for this and then my EX1. I wonder what f-stop the old EX1 at f1.9 would equate to on a Super 35??
 
Sounds good. If you're able to post any real world examples (something moving), I'd be interested to see them.
 
Ivor C said:
Thanks guys. I do have a Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 VR + Nikon to emount SB sat in my kit bag. But the electronics don't work through the SB and even if they did, it's just too heavy (IMHO) to hang off a FS5 without grip support.
Click to expand...

You should definitely check out the 80-200 f4 AIS Nikkor. It's regarded as one of nikkors very best manual long lenses. You should be able to pick one up mint for < £200. Sharp as a tack without being clinical and lovely long throw focus.

another option is the 100-300 AIS f5.6 which is not as sharp as the above but has a bit more reach.
 
I can't tell if that Commlite adapter got rid of the manual iris control that was the main advantage of using Nikon lenses. I'd like to see manual iris control coupled with IS and if they can throw in AF fine but I don't expect it would work well on FS7 anyway.
 
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